To The Introverts Alone In A Crowd

To the introverts-alone in a crowd;
tongue-tied and terrified.
The ones who have thought themselves
how to swallow their voice for fear of it
sounding out of place in the open air.
I want you to know that
I understand every word you want to say,
but please-unfold the essence of who you are
and wear it on the outside as a fragrance
no-one has ever owned before.
Say ‘no’ often-without apology, and without explanation.
And when they ask you who you are,
breathe out your name as though you’re breathing life
into the parts of them that don’t see you for the magnificent,
rare flower that you are.